BJP questions Rahul Gandhi's 'silence' over farmers' agitation in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Opposition BJP in Karnataka on Wednesday questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's silence over sugarcane farmers' agitation in Karnataka, and demanded the government fix the price of their produce at Rs 3,500 a tonne.
Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, asked Rahul Gandhi, "Where is Kisan Nyay (farmer justice) for the farmers of Karnataka?" and he accused the Congress government in the state of being "anti-farmer".
Various farmers' organisations, the opposition BJP, students and others supported the farmers' protest that spread across many districts of north Karnataka, like Belagavi, Bagalkote, Haveri.
State BJP President B Y Vijayendra, who joined the protesting farmers in Belagavi on Tuesday, took part in the overnight agitation. Farmer leaders greeted Vijayendra, whose birthday is on Wednesday.
"If Rahul Gandhi's heart really beats for farmers, why is he silent when Karnataka's sugarcane growers have been forced to block highways for 6 straight days?" Ashoka asked.
"As many as 26 sugar factories were shut. Roads and highways were blocked. Markets, schools and businesses closed. Farmers are begging the government to talk. But the Congress High Command is busy campaigning in Bihar," he said in a post on 'X'.
Alleging that CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar are busy saving and clinching chairs, Ashoka said, confused Ministers and MLAs don't know which faction to please, and have become blind and deaf to farmers' suffering.
"So is Rahul Gandhi's so-called Kisan Nyay limited to Election manifestoes? Political rallies in other states? TV sound bites when cameras are rolling?" he questioned.
Asking Rahul Gandhi to at least show the courtesy to speak to the farmers of the state, where his own party is ruling, the opposition leader said, the truth is bitter. Congress Kisan Nyay (farmer justice) has become Kisan Vanchana (deception).
"Shame on this Kisan-Virodhi Congress government," he added.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
